complaining.

"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out[c] the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing." Phil 2:14-16

Paul instructs us to do everything, everything, and he means everything without grumbling and complaining. Everything implies a lot; it includes more than one can even fathom. Surely, there has to be some exception. It seems nearly impossible to hold one's tongue in the toughest of situations without letting out even the smallest mumble.

Frankly, complaining is fun. Finding fault, listing gripes, and holding grudges is a sport. We feel vindicated. We feel exonerated. We feel vented. We feel we have the right to do so, especially in the light of injustice. However, complaining will only make us more like the "crooked and depraved generation." To give up one's right to complain will make us more holy, more pure, and more like Jesus.

This life style has been proven to make one shine like the stars. Look at Paul's life, for instance. He was living evidence that circumstances could not deter his joy. But even more recently, consider Corrie Ten Boom. Obviously, even though she was only human, her mentality to not complain caused her to shine in her life time.

To not complain takes practice...even in the most minor instances of our lives, we could just resist the temptation to complain, perhaps we will not only save someone from hearing our pitiful cries but we will also become more joyful and kind.